MADI LIGGETT
EVENT DIRECTOR
Madi Liggett joined our team in 2021. Since then, Madi has married and welcomed their first child in November 2024. With a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Grand Valley State University, she’s pursued experiences across the hospitality field throughout our state, Mackinac Island, Saugatuck, and most recently Traverse City. She enjoys getting to know these Michigan coastal destinations and sharing that love with guests who are drawn here as well.
Her favorite part about hosting events is making each experience unique and memorable while simplifying the planning process for you. She also loves to see your personal style shine through in our space. In addition to helping our clients vision come to life, Madi also recaps the action on our social media platforms. She is an incredible asset to our team, and we look forward to you meeting her.
SAMANTHA PARDINGTON
EVENT MANAGER
After eight years in restaurant management, Samantha brings a calm, capable approach to event planning as our Event Manager. She has a gift for turning what can feel overwhelming into a seamless, enjoyable experience from start to finish. Samantha thrives on bringing people together and creating moments guests will talk about long after the lights go down.
Planning her own wedding recently gave her an even deeper appreciation for the personal touches and thoughtful details that make an event truly special. From leading teams at every stage to handling last-minute surprises with a smile, Samantha keeps everything running smoothly. With a sharp eye for detail and a love for meaningful experiences, she turns plans into unforgettable events—no stress, just beautiful memories.
BEN JAKOBCIC
EVENT CHEF
Born and raised in Royal Oak, Michigan; Ben has been working in professional kitchens for nearly 20 years now. He moved to Traverse City 10 years ago, cooking for Mission Table before focusing on Banquets. Ben is honored to have taken part in the making of so many important moments through his work here and uses it as inspiration to continue to hone his craft and help forge many more exceptional experiences. Ben’s dedication to the quality and consistency of the food prepared in The Peninsula Room is unparalleled.
JIM DEMARSH
GENERAL MANAGER
Jim DeMarsh is a Traverse City native where he & his wife are raising their two boys. He has been in the hospitality industry for nearly 20 years.
Jim graduated from Grand Valley State University with degrees in Business Administration & Finance. After a short stint in the banking world the desire for the human experience & interaction brought him to the hospitality industry, serving as General Manager of Grand Rapids’ Bar Divani for three years.
Jim joined our team in spring of 2009 where he has worked his way to his current position of General Manager. Jim exemplifies hospitality. He cares as much about our employees as he does our guest experience.